What's News

The Walking Dead Review - Pilot

Tom — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:48:51 +0000

A review of episode one of AMC's new Zombie show, The walking dead.

Season 1, Episode 1: Days Gone Bye
Original Air Date—31 October 2010
Sheriff Deputy, Rick Grimes, wakes up in the hospital, after being shot, to find his town overrun by flesh-eating zombies. After making friends with survivor Morgan Jones and his son Duane, Rick sets out to find his wife and son.

Tokio Fusion 2010 - Gothenburg

Tom — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:30:55 +0000

Tokyo Fusion Party in Göteborg, Sweden on September 17th 2010. Kimono Fusion är en japansk modeutställning som på ett lekfullt sätt utgår från kimonon och bubblar vidare in i dagens japanska subkulturer och modetrender. Vintage kimonos blandas med kreationer och streetsmarta barnsligheter från några av Japans hetaste designers. Handgjorda accessoarer för unga geishor samsas med graffiti och hiphopiga origami-figurer med mönster inspirerade av gamla kimonos. Utställningen är en samproduktion mellan Rekostylisterna och Världskulturmuseet.

Fransa::Tech intro

Tom — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 23:23:28 +0000

Media Center File Server with Linux and Samba

Tom — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:29:47 +0000

A while ago we wrote a guide on how to use FreeNAS and its benefits as a file server for Windows Media Center. Since then Windows released their home server edition, which offers the same functions but in a more familiar GUI and file system. Unfortunately Windows Home Server (WHS) is plagued by a faulty source code and causes file corruption under certain circumstances. More about the WHS issue can be found here. We wanted to explore WHS and its possible Media Center features, however since Microsoft wont fix their faulty code until June or possibly later we wanted to answer a few requests regarding Linux and Media Center.

Not only is Linux extremely reliable but it is also free and runs well on low resource computers. With a great community supporting the different distributions it is no wonder the Linux platform is becoming more and more popular. However, Linux has a steep learning curve and many new adopters will end up consulting forums for hours before they become familiar with the OS.

To setup a file server or Network Attached Storage (NAS), on the other hand is easy and a great option because of all the possibilities Linux can offer as you become more proficient with the OS. And yes your windows machines will be able to hook up to the server, which means, much like our FreeNAS guide you can use the Linux box as your storage and watched folder in Windows Media Center.

Reqiuem: bloodymare Beta Key Giveaway

Tom — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:07:45 +0000

Once again we are giving away a beta key. This time it's for the horror MMORPG Requiem: Bloodymare. As always first comment gets the key.

Overclocking e8400 Wolfdale :: how to reach 4.3Ghz with air

Tom — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:30:22 +0000

It's finally here, the moment we've all been waiting for. The public is graced with 45nm technology and it comes in the form of Intel's Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0Ghz Wolfdale.

So, what's next? Do you plug it in, apply stock cooling and enjoy 45nm technology at a cruising speed of 3.0 Ghz with 6MB of L2 Cache. Or do you get a decent heat sink, pump the little sucker with as much juice it can take, laugh at the void warranty sticker in hopes of reaching uncharted overclocking boundaries. Lets do the latter.

The following guide is a short "how to" for anyone interested in overclocking their E8400 with a P35 Chipset motherboard.

Test System

Intel Core 2 Duo e8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W
DFI BloodIron P35-T2RL LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX
Team Xtreem 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) 4-4-4-10 TXDD2048M800HC4DC
Thermalright Ultra-120 CPU Extreme
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply
EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
LIAN LI PC-V1200Aplus II Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower

How to Apply CPU Thermal Paste

Tom — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:32:01 +0000

There's really no wrong or right way to apply thermal paste on your CPU and the topic is still heavily debated. There are some basic rules to follow however. First of all, concerning thermal paste "less is more". Whatever method you're using , please refrain from applying too much paste. And second dont use prepackaged thermal grease. Don't get us wrong, it will get the job done, much like your prepackaged heatsink from Intel or AMD. However, there's a reason the third party heatsink market is so prevalent today. And it's simply because they do a much much better job of cooling your CPU, especially during heavy CPU load or when overclocking. Since you've already decided to get a new heatsink you might as well spend the extra $7-10 for a decent thermal paste.

The main reason for applying thermal grease is to to fill any potential air pockets/gaps created by the uneven surface of the heatsink and CPU. Since air is less efficient at conducting heat, the goal is to eliminate as many as possible. Keep in mind that the air gaps are microscopic in nature.

Pirates of the Burning Seas Open Beta

Tom — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:20:06 +0000

Highly anticipated swashbuckling MMORPG "Pirates of the Burning Seas" is currently in its open beta stage. Register for a key here. Still can get a key? Don't worry Fransatech will give away a key to the person who posts the first comment.

Display Calibration

Tom — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 01:56:09 +0000

When was the last time you calibrated your TV or monitor?

DisplayCalibration.com offer a quick and easy way to calibrate areas like Brightness and Contrast which are often hard to setup without reference points. Check out the website if you are unsure of your calibration.

Save the tubes

Tom — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 22:11:38 +0000

The SavetheInternet.com Coalition is more than a million everyday people who have banded together with thousands of non-profit organizations, businesses and bloggers to protect Internet freedom.

The Coalition believes that the Internet is a crucial engine for economic growth and free speech. We are working together to urge Congress to preserve Network Neutrality, the First Amendment of the Internet, which ensures that the Internet remains open to new ideas, innovation and progress.